In celebration of the inauguration of the "new Suez Canal" waterway, Governor of Cairo Galal Saeed announced on Wednesday that free bus services will take effect on Thursday and entrance to all parks will be free for the following two days, state news agency MENA reported.

Saeed said that the gesture encourages Egyptians to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal and to provide smooth transportation without having to worry about parking or traffic jams.

"Stages were placed in the Old Cairo districts of Al-Sayeda Zeinab, Sultan Hassan, and Abdeen, in addition to Roxy, where national music and traditional dances will be performed," said Saeed, adding that screens will be available to live stream the opening of the Suez Canal.

On Tuesday, Egypt's Transportation Minister Hany Dahy said that Egyptians will be able to board railways for free and Metro services in the governorates of Cairo and Giza will be available for free from 4pm to 8pm on Thursday.

Streetlights and signage all around Cairo are being repaired. Additionally, Ismailia-Suez road and roads to and from the airport will be paved, stated Saeed.

Minister of Antiquities Mamdouh El-Damaty announced that all museums and archaeological sites around Egypt are to be opened for free on Thursday.

El-Damaty calls on all Egyptians to visit museums and archaeological sites within their governorate to celebrate the opening of the new Suez Canal waterway, adding that Egyptians should send the whole world a message that Egypt is safe and that Egyptians are proud of their heritage.

The new Suez Canal waterway, an extension of the existing Suez Canal, will be inaugurated on Thursday by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. International heads of state are expected to attend the event.